Portuguese authorities seize 5 tonnes of cocaine worth $ 232 million

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More than five tons of cocaine worth an estimated $ 232 million were seized on Sunday from a 79-foot yacht by Portuguese authorities in the Atlantic Ocean.

Portuguese authorities noted the drug seizure has been one of the largest in Europe in recent years – and the largest in the country in 15 years.

The sailboat was bordered by the police with the help of the Portuguese Navy and the Air Force, where 183 cocaine balls were discovered.

Three men have been arrested, who authorities believe are part of a major international drug pipeline between Latin America and Europe, entering through the continent via the Iberian Peninsula.

Two of the suspects detained were Spanish and one was Peruvian, according to Portuguese points of sale.

The operation, dubbed “White Tide”, involved police officers from Portugal, Spain, the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the UK National Crime Agency.

Portuguese police chief Luis Neves, center, addresses the media over the seized drugs.
PA

” We are still waiting [more drug trafficking] and this is the message we want to send to the organizations: we are waiting for you, ”Portuguese judicial police chief Luis Neves told a press conference on Monday, according to Reuters.

“Those who have to fall will fall because this amount of drugs is a huge fortune and a blow to criminal groups.”

With post wires

Portuguese police said on Monday the seizure was the largest in Europe in recent years and the largest in Portugal for 15 years.
Portuguese police said on Monday the seizure was the largest in Europe in recent years and the largest in Portugal for 15 years.
PA
The 79-foot yacht was intercepted by police at sea.
The 79-foot yacht was intercepted by police at sea.
PA
The operation involved Portuguese and Spanish police, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency.
The operation involved Portuguese and Spanish police, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency.
PA

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